OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect and potential mechanism of astilbin （AST） on renal injury in chronic renal failure （CRF） rats based on the Jagged-1/Notch-1 signaling pathway. METHODS CRF model was constructed by 5/6 nephrotomy. The successfully modeled rats were randomly separated into Model group， AST low-dose group （AST-L group）， AST high-dose group （AST-H group）， high-dose of AST+Notch pathway activator （Jagged-1/FC chimerin， referred to as “JFC”） group （AST-H+ JFC group）， and control group （CK group） for open surgery without resection was set up， with 10 rats in each group. The rats in the AST-L group and AST-H group were given 40 and 80 mg/kg AST， respectively； the rats in the AST-H+JFC group were simultaneously given 80 mg/kg AST and 0.5 mg/kg JFC， and the rats in the CK group and Model group were given an equal volume of normal saline， once a day， for 4 weeks. After the last administration， the serum levels of blood urea nitrogen （BUN）， serum creatinine （SCr）， and the level of 24 h urinary protein （UP） in urine， as well as the serum levels of lactate dehydrogenase （LDH）， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， interleukin-6 （IL-6） and IL-10 in each group were detected. The morphology and fibrosis of renal tissue were observed. The content of adenosine triphosphate （ATP） and the activities of sodium-potassium ATPase and calcium-magnesium ATPase in mitochondria of renal tissue were detected. The protein expressions of transforming growth factor- β （TGF- β）， hypoxia-inducible factor-1α （HIF-1α）， α-smooth muscle actin （α-SMA）， cleaved-caspase-3， Jagged-1 and Notch-1 in renal tissue were also observed. RESULTS Compared with CK group， the renal tissue of rats in the Model group was obviously damaged， renal tissue fibrosis was severe； the serum BUN and SCr levels， urine UP level， serum 4 LDH， TNF-α and IL-6 levels， as well as the protein expressions of TGF-β， HIF-1α， α-SMA， cleaved-caspase-3， Jagged-1 and Notch-1 in renal tissue were significantly increased， while the serum IL-10 level， ATP content and activities of sodium-potassium ATPase and calcium-magnesium ATPase in mitochondria of renal tissue were significantly decreased （P＜0.05）. Compared with Model group， the renal tissue damage and fibrosis in the AST groups were reduced， the serum BUN and SCr levels， urine UP level， serum LDH， TNF-α and IL-6 levels， and the protein expressions of TGF-β， HIF-1α， α-SMA， cleaved-caspase-3， Jagged-1 and Notch-1 were significantly decreased， while the serum IL-10 level， ATP content and the activities of sodium-potassium ATPase and calcium-magnesium ATPase in mitochondria were significantly increased； the changes in the aforementioned indicators in AST- H group were more significant than those in the AST-L group（P＜0.05）. JFC could significantly reverse the improvement effect of high dose of AST on renal injury in CRF rats （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS AST can reduce inflammation in CRF rats， alleviate renal tissue damage and fibrosis， and improve renal mitochondrial capacity metabolism， possibly by inhibiting the Jagged-1/Notch-1 signaling pathway.

This paper summarized the clinical experience of Prof. LI Diangui in treating gastroesophageal reflux disease （GERD） based on the theory of turbidity-toxin in liver. It is believed that internal accumulation of turbidity-toxin and liver depression with stomach counterflow are the main pathogenesis of GERD， and thus the therapeutic methods of resolving turbidity and resolving toxins， regulating the liver and harmonizing the stomach are proposed. In clinical practice， GERD is divided into the early stage， middle stage and late stage. For the early stage， the modified Huazhuo Shugan Hewei Formula （化浊疏肝和胃方） is used to regulate qi and remove turbidity， soothe the liver and harmonize the stomach； for the middle stage， the modified Huazhuo Qingre Zhisuan Formula （化浊清热制酸方） is applied to clear heat， direct the turbid downward， and resolve toxins； for the late stage， the modified Yiwei Decoction （益胃汤） is adopted to replenish qi， nourish yin and simultaneously resolve turbidity-toxin. Throughout the treatment process， attention should be paid to protecting the spleen and stomach， and the medication could be modified according to changes of individual condition.

ObjectiveBioinformatics methods were used to systematically identify the Salvia miltiorrhiza terpenoid synthase （SmTPS） gene family members and predict their functions from the perspective of the genome. MethodThe genome and transcriptome data of S. miltiorrhiza， Arabidopsis thaliana， and tomato were obtained from the national genomics data center （NGDC）， national center for biotechnology information （NCBI）， the Arabidopsis information resource （TAIR）， and tomato functional genomics database （TFGD）， and the whole genome identification and bioinformatics analysis of the SmTPS gene family member were carried out with the help of Perl language programming， Tbtools， and other bioinformatics tools. ResultA total of 52 TPS gene family members were identified， and they were distributed on eight chromosomes of S. miltiorrhiza. Their coding amino acid number was 207-822 aa. The isoelectric points were 4.76-9.16. The molecular mass was 24.11-94.81 kDa， and all members are hydrophilic proteins. Gene structure analysis showed that there were significant differences in the number of introns among different subfamilies. The number of introns in 72.6% of TPS-a， b， and g subfamilies was 6， and that in 88.9% of TPS-c and e/f subfamilies was more than 10. Protein motifs were conserved among TPS subfamilies. The analysis of promoter cis-acting elements showed that all promoters of the SmTPSs contained a large number of light-responsive elements， and most of them had hormone-responsive elements. Gene expression analysis showed that SmTPS gene family members exhibited tissue-specific expression， and 24 of them responded to exogenous methyl jasmonate. ConclusionBased on the published S. miltiorrhiza genome， 52 SmTPS gene family members were identified， and their functions were predicted based on the phylogenetic analysis and expression patterns. This paper provides reference information for the further biosynthesis pathway and regulatory mechanism analysis of terpenoids in S. miltiorrhiza.

Objective:To investigate the correlation between preoperative incomplete intestinal obstruction and the risk of perioperative reflux and aspiration assessed by preoperative bedside ultrasonography in patients with colon cancer.Methods:A prospective case series study was conducted. A total of 300 patients with colon cancer who underwent elective surgery from March 2020 to January 2022 in the First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University were prospectively selected for the study. According to whether there was incomplete intestinal obstruction before operation, the patients were divided into obstruction group and non-obstruction group. All patients underwent preoperative ultrasound examination of the gastric antrum, measuring the cross-sectional area of the gastric antrum in the right lateral position, and calculating the gastric volume and unit body mass gastric volume (GV/W), which were all expressed as M ( Q1, Q3). The differences in cross-sectional area of the gastric antrum, gastric volume and GV/W in the right lateral position between the two groups were compared, as well as the risk of reflux and aspiration (the risk of reflux and aspiration was extremely low at GV/W<0.8 ml/kg, the risk was low at GV/W 0.8-1.5 ml/kg, and the risk was high at GV/W >1.5 ml/kg). Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of high risk of reflux and aspiration. Results:Of 300 patients, 7 patients were excluded because of blurred images on ultrasonography, and a total of 293 patients were finally included. The age [ M ( Q1, Q3)] of obstruction group (146 cases) was 58.0 years old (55.0 years old, 67.0 years old), including 80 males and 66 females; the age of non-obstruction group (147 cases) was 55.0 years old (53.5 years old, 64.0 years old), including 64 males and 83 females. The age and body mass index (BMI) of the patients in the obstructin group were higher than those in the non-obstruction group, and the differences were statistically significant (both P < 0.05), and there were no significant differences in gender, duration of dietary abstinence, comorbid hypertension, comorbid diabetes mellitus, smoking status, sedentariness, and alcoholism between the two groups (all P > 0.05). Compared with the non-obstruction group, patients in the obstruction group had a higher cross-sectional area of the gastric antrum [5.83 cm 2 (5.25 cm 2, 6.70 cm 2) vs. 5.13 cm 2 (4.43 cm 2, 5.79 cm 2), P < 0.001], gastric volume [43.00 ml (37.07 ml, 52.74 ml) vs. 32.78 ml (25.52 ml, 39.85 ml), P < 0.001] and GV/W [0.70 ml/kg (0.65 ml/kg, 0.82 ml/kg) vs. 0.55 ml/kg (0.46 ml/kg, 0.62 ml/kg), P < 0.001] in the right lateral position. The proportion of patients at high risk of reflux and aspiration in the obstruction group was higher than that in the non-obstruction group [22.6% (33/146) vs. 12.2% (18/147), χ2 = 4.59, P = 0.032]. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that combination of incomplete intestinal obstruction (combined vs. uncombined, OR = 2.145, 95% CI: 1.096-4.198, P = 0.026), and males (females vs. males, OR = 0.415, 95% CI: 0.199-0.867, P = 0.019) were the independent risk factors for a high risk of perioperative reflux and aspiration assessed by preoperative bedside ultrasonography. Conclusions:Colon cancer patients combined with incomplete intestinal obstruction have significantly larger preoperative cross-sectional area of the gastric antrum, gastric volume and GV/W in the right lateral position, and have gastric retention, which may contribute to a higher risk of perioperative reflux and aspiration.

【Objective】 To elucidate the possible role of arginine and histidine in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia by exploring the serum levels of semi-essential amino acids (arginine and histidine) in patients with schizophrenia and their correlation with psychiatric symptoms. 【Methods】 We selected 72 inpatients with schizophrenia admitted to The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University from March 2021 to October 2022 and 72 healthy volunteers enrolled in Yanta Community during the same period as the research subjects. Serum arginine and histidine levels were measured in patients with schizophrenia and healthy controls using serum liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). We used the Positive and Negative Symptom Scale (PANSS) to evaluate the mental symptoms of patients with schizophrenia and analyzed the correlation of serum arginine and histidine levels with disease course, frequency of onset, and PANSS score. 【Results】 The levels of serum arginine (P<0.001) and histidine (P=0.011) in the schizophrenia group were significantly lower than those in the control group. The levels of serum arginine and histidine were significantly negatively correlated with the frequency of onset (rs=-0.410, rs=-0.262), total score of PANSS (rs=-0.298, rs=-0.256), positive factors (rs=-0.299, rs=-0.234) and cognitive impairment factors (rs=-0.251, rs=-0.296). In addition, serum arginine levels had significantly negative correlation with anxiety and depression factors (rs=-0.269, P<0.05). 【Conclusion】 The serum levels of arginine and histidine in patients with schizophrenia are significantly lower than those in healthy individuals, and are negatively correlated with overall mental symptoms, severity of positive symptoms and cognitive impairment. The severity of anxiety and depression symptoms is negatively correlated with arginine levels. The detection of serum arginine and histidine can provide reference for the diagnosis and assessment of the severity of schizophrenia in the future.

【Objective】 To evaluate the safety and efficacy of modified ultrasound-guided needle-like visible nephroscope (Needle perc) holmium laser lithotripsy in the treatment of 1-2 cm calyceal calculi, and provide a reference for the selection of clinical treatment methods. 【Methods】 The clinical data of 60 patients with single intrarenal calyceal calculi (the largest diameter 1~2 cm) treated in our hospital during Jan.2022 and May 2023 were retrospectively analyzed.The patients were divided into ureteroscopic holmium laser lithotripsy group (flexible ureteroscope group) and Needle perc group, with 30 patients in either group.The clinical data of the two groups were compared. 【Results】 Compared with the flexible ureteroscope group, the Needle perc group had shorter overall hospitalization time [(3.00±1.25) d vs. (4.00±1.25) d], shorter operation time [(44.63±5.42) min vs. (48.50±7.24) min], lower hospitalization expenses [(15 518±441) yuan vs. (16 872±903) yuan], higher stone-clearance rate [93.3% (28/30) vs. 50.7% (15/30), P<0.001], less increase of procalcitonin after operation [(0.02±0.01) vs. (0.12±0.18), P=0.007], and lower incidence of complications [3.3% (1/30) vs. 26.7% (8/30), P=0.030]. 【Conclusion】 The modified ultrasound-guided Needle perc holmium laser lithotripsy is safe and effective in the treatment of 1-2 cm lower calyceal calculi, with high stone removal rate and low complication rate.

To explore the value of portable oto-endoscopy system in clinical teaching of otolaryngology residents.

Objective:To explore the genetic basis for a child with developmental delay and intellectual deficit (DD/ID).Methods:A child who was admitted to the Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital of Longhua District of Shenzhen City on June 3, 2023 due to DD/ID, craniofacial malformations, and recurrent infections of upper respiratory tract was selected as the study subject. G-banded chromosomal karyotyping was carried out for the child and her parents. Low-depth genome-wide copy number variation sequencing (CNV-seq) and chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) were used to screen for genome-wide copy number variation (CNV), and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was used to verify the origin of candidate CNV. This study was approved by the Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital of Longhua District of Shenzhen City(Ethics No. 2023052504). Results:The child, an 8-year-old girl, had featured unexplained growth and intellectual development delay, multiple craniofacial malformations, and recurrent infections of the upper respiratory tract. She was found to have a karyotype of 46, XX, der(6)add(6)(q23), while both of her parents were normal. Both CNV-seq and CMA showed that the child has harbored a 21.38 Mb interstitial duplication at 6p25.3p22.3 and a 0.78 Mb terminal deletion at 6p25. FISH verified that both the duplication and deletion had occurred de novo. Conclusion:The abnormal phenotype of the child may be attributed to the 6p duplication and terminal deletion.

Coronary artery calcifications (CAC) is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). It has been revealed that this condition can be automatically quantified through computerize tomographic (CT) scan contained in radiotherapy plan for patients with breast cancer, with which, physicians can identify the patients with increased risk of CVD after radiotherapy prematurely and take intervention measures in advance. In this article, the current literature and research progress on the correlation between CAC and cardiotoxicity in patients with breast cancer after radiotherapy were reviewed, expecting to provide a strategy to reduce the CVD risk in patients with breast cancer after radiotherapy.

Objective:To establish a general method for the simultaneous determination of hydroxyphenyl esters and quaternary ammonium bacteriostatic agents in eye drops.Methods:The chromatographic analysis was per-formed on an Agilent C18 column(4.6 mm ×250 mm,5 μm)with 1％triethylamine solution(pH adjusted to 5.0 with phosphoric acid)as mobile phase A and methanol as mobile phase B.Gradient elution was performed at col-umn temperature of 40 ℃.The detection wavelength was 214 nm,the flow rate was 1 mL·min-1,and the injec-tion volume was 20 μL.Results:Methylparaben,ethylparaben,propylparaben,butylparaben,benzalkonium chlo-ride and benzalkonium bromide were 0.11-559.0,0.10-513.0,0.10-258.8,0.11-270.5,1.07-537.0 and 1.03-512.8 μg·mL-1,respectively.The linear range was good(r＞0.999).The average recoveries of meth-ylparaben,benzalkonium bromide and benzalkonium chloride were 104.7％(RSD=1.3％),102.6％(RSD=1.1％)and 100.9％(RSD=1.1％),respectively.The contents of bacteriostatic agent in 100 batches of eye drops from 36 varieties of 12 enterprises were determined,and the accurate results were obtained.Conclusion:This meth-od provides a reference for the content quality control and safety evaluation of bacteriostatic agents in eye drops.